Matlock was a long-running American television legal drama. The show ran from September 23, 1986 to May 8, 1992 on NBC, where it replaced the long-running series The A-Team to Friday nights, then on November 5, 1992 until May 7, 1995 on ABC.

The format of the show was similar to that of Perry Mason, with Matlock identifying the murderer and then confronting him or her in a dramatic courtroom scene near the end. One difference, however, was that whereas Mason usually exculpated his clients at a pretrial hearing, Matlock usually secured an acquittal at trial, from the jury.

Coincidentally, some Perry Mason alumni appeared on the drama, such as R. G. Armstrong and Stacy Keach, Sr.

Ben Matlock is a VERY expensive criminal defense attorney who charges a $100,000 to take a case. Fortunately, he's worth every penny as he and his associates defend his clients by finding the REAL killer. Written by Afterburner

Premiering in 1986, the TV series "Matlock" enjoyed a successful run until the year 1995. "Matlock" features criminal defense attorney Ben Matlock (Andy Griffith of "The Andy Griffith Show" fame) seeking to prove the innocence of his client as he takes on his/her case, of which most involve murders. He does this with the help of a team of people, which changed from season to season but included over the years Conrad McMasters (Clarence Gilyard Jr., now more known for his role as Jimmy Trivette in "Walker, Texas Ranger"), daughter Charlene Matlock (Linda Purl), and Cliff Lewis (Daniel Roebuck). Written by grwallace

Ben Matlock is a Georgia bred, Harvard educated defense attorney. His fee is $100,000 but he's worth every cent of it as he defends his clients not only in Atlanta but all over the country. He is cantankerous and gruff and often uses colorful language, but beneath it all he has a heart of gold. He is assisted in his work by his daughters Charlene and Leanne (who are also attorneys) and his investigators Tyler Hudson, Conrad McMasters and Cliff Lewis, who happens to be the son of Ben's boyhood friend/rival Billy Lewis. Ben's girlfriend is associate D.A. Julie March and his contact on the Atlanta police is Lt. Bob Brooks. Written by Brian Washington